Gender equality group to set pay target for female FTSE 100 execs August 10, 2015 The government-backed committee charged with promoting greater gender equality among UK companies is considering targeting earnings as its next campaign issue. The Davies Review is looking into ways to push the gender equality agenda forwards, after UK firms reached its original target of appointing women to 25 per cent of FTSE 100 board positions earlier [...]
Frackers urge Whitehall: Fast track our plans August 10, 2015 Fracking companies yesterday urged the government to press forward with plans to fast-track their applications following an intervention by Amber Rudd, the energy secretary. Rudd’s colleague at the ministry, Andrea Leadsom, echoed the secretary of state’s support for fracking, telling City PM: “We are exploring ways to really kickstart the industry as we know it [...]
Shire ramps up bid to win over Baxalta board August 10, 2015 The board of Baxalta will come under renewed pressure to open takeover negotiations this week, following early campaigning by Shire to promote its $30bn (£19.4bn) offer for the US firm. However, Baxalta insists that it will not accept this offer, with a company source describing the bid price as being “nowhere near” the value [...]
Top banks could face millions in new PPI claims over commission August 10, 2015 Britain’s top banks are facing further fall out from the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI). The latest potential threat comes from a case brought by lecturer Susan Plevin, over a loan and PPI policy taken out in 2006. She was unaware that more than 70 per cent of the commission she paid on the [...]
Employers turn to graduates as skills shortages bite August 10, 2015 Businesses are turning more towards graduates and apprentices to fill their skills gaps, new survey figures reveal this morning. Apprentices are currently seen as the best way to fill skills gaps by 33 per cent of employers, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). It marks a climb on spring 2014’s 22 [...]
Philip Hammond says migrants hit EU living standards and demands clamp down on African immigration August 10, 2015 Foreign secretary Philip Hammond claimed yesterday that European living standards are at risk unless the continent clamps down on immigration from Africa. Speaking in Singapore, Hammond said: “So long as the European Union’s laws are the way they are, many of them will only have to set foot in Europe to be pretty confident that [...]
Bank executives fear regulation is harming the UK’s international competitiveness August 10, 2015 Tough regulation of the banking sector is harming the UK’s international competitiveness, according to a poll of executives published this morning. Thousands of pages of regulation were written up in response to the financial crisis, and new rules are constantly being added to them. But many of the rules are negatively affecting the UK’s global [...]
Chinese insurance giant Anbang nears £750m Heron Tower deal August 9, 2015 The Heron Tower in the City that is part-owned by property tycoon Gerald Ronson could soon change hands after a Chinese insurance giant emerged as a frontrunner to buy the skyscraper for £750m. Anbang Insurance, a privately owned group that last year snapped up New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel for almost $2bn (£1.3bn), is close [...]
British Gas: Just 4pc applying to engineering roles are women August 9, 2015 British Gas has revealed that just four per cent of applicants to its technical and engineering apprenticeships are women. Since conducting an analysis of its intake, the company has launched a recruitment drive targeting young women, hosting open days and launching a new mentoring programme. Claire Miles, managing director for HomeCare at British Gas, said: [...]
Hobbs’ losses widen after costly revamp August 9, 2015 Womenswear retailer Hobbs saw losses widen to £15.6m last year, despite a slight pick-up in sale as its new management team struggled to turn the chain around. The brand, whose fans include the Duchess of Cambridge, suffered a £15.6m pre-tax loss in the year to 31 January, up from £14m last time. Turnover rose from [...]
